Device for holding pencils or other writing instruments



F. J. NOLTE. DEVICE FOR HOLDING PENCILS OR OTHER WRITING INSTRUMENTS.

APPLICATION FILED APR.16,I92I.

Patented Mar. 28. 1922..

' A TTOR/VEY STATES FATNT FFliCiil.

FREDERICK J. NOLTE, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

'l,diii,589.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 28, 11%22.

Application filed April 16, 1921. Serial No. 461,892.

T 0 (J6 whom it may concern:

Be it known that T, Fnnnnnicn J. NOLTE, a citizen of the United States, residing in the borough of Queens, city and State of New York, have invented certain ew and useful Improvements in Devices for Holding Pencils or other l/Vriting Instruments, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to devices for holding pencils or other writing instruments, particularly to devices whereby the pencil may be attached to the index or other linger of the writer, so that the same will always be at hand, ready and convenient for use.

it is an object of the present invention to so construct the holding device that the pencil may readily be moved out the way when not in use, so that the hand is free to perform its tasks without hindrance by the pencil, even though the same remains at all times associated with the finger so to be readily accessiole when wanted.

I shall now describe certain specific forms of embodiment of the invention, having reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view, showing the holder of my invention in operative position upon the index finger of the user.

Figure 2 is a view partly in section, showing the preferred form of embodiment of my invention.

l igure 8 is a side view of Figure Figure 4 is .a section of Figure 2, taken on the line Il V, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 2, showing a modification thereof.

Figure 6 is a view showing a section of Figure 5, taken on the line VTVT, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 7 is a view showing still another form of embodiment of my invention, and

Figure 8 is a view showing a side elevation of Figure 7.

Similar chancters of reference designate similar parts in each of the several views.

The form of embodiment of my invention which I now prefer, consists of a ring 1 which is of a size to fit comfortably the finger of the user, with which ring is associated a clip 2 for receiving a pencil or writing instrument of any other tool or device which it may be desired to place into the holder. The ring and clip are associated out with each otherby a universal joint mechanism which, in the form illustrated in Figure 2, consists of a stud 3, the ends of which are provided with recesses for receiving the rounded ends l of the ring-shaped member 1. The ring is preferably constructed of spring steel or other material, and the stud is held in place between the ends 4: by means of the spring pressure.

This construction permits the stud to be turned about its longitudinal axis but does not interfere with the smoothness of the interior surface of the ring, particularly if the inner surface of the stud is slightly curved, as shown at 6, although this refinement is unnecessary if the stud is made sufliciently short, as will be readily understood. The clip 2 is pivotally associated with stud 3, this connection being made by the rivet 7 which extends loosely through a hole in the clip 2.

With the above-described form of mounting, the clip is free to turn about two axes, one being an axis parallel to the tangent of the ring i. e., the longitudinal axis of stud 3, and the other being an axis substantially at right angles to the former, i. e., the axis of rivet 7. The connection between the ring and the clip is, therefore, in the form of a universal joint.

The manner in which the holding device is used is illustrated in Figure 1. The penoil is slipped into the clip and the ring is thereupon placed on the finger, ordinarily, the index finger of the right hand, as shown, although, if desired, it may be placed on any other finger according to the writing habits of the user. The point of the pencil is then grasped by the fingers in the usual manner.

Owing to the universal joint connection between the ring and the clip, the pencil is perfectly free to follow the movements of the fingers without causing any binding between the ring and the finger, the universal joint permitting not only back and forth, but lateral motion of the pencil point relative to the ring.

When the writing is finished, the grasp on the pencil is released and the point thereof is pushed out of the way so that the entire hand is free for other tasks, although. the pencil may at any moment he re grasped and the writing resumed.

The holding device is, therefore, invaluable to store and shipping clerks, inspectors,

olublysecured by means of a rivet 9.

cashiers, typists and all other persons whose writing is of an intermittent nature, although it may be used with equal advantage by draftsmen, bookkeepers, and the like, who use the pencil or other instrument constantly, as the holder rests the fingers.

Moreover, the holder serves to steady the pencil or other instrument because of the support which it gives to the upper end thereof. This feature is of importance Where a high degree of accuracy and exactness in drawing, writing or other work is required.

In the form of embodiment illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, the clip 2 is secured to the ring 1 by means of a split sleeve 8 which is preferably formed of spring steel and is clamped over a reduced portion a or the ring. The lower end of the sleeve is provided with an extension 8 to which the clip 2 is rev- This form of construction, similar to the preceding one, has the advantage of a universal joint connection between the pencil and the ring.

The form of embodiment illustrated in Figures 7 and 8 consists of a ring I having rigidly secured thereto a pin 10. A U shaped bracket 11 is pivoted on this pin and a clip 12 is rotatably associated with the bracket by means of a rivet 13.

A spring 14 has one terminal l'iXGfl to the pin 10 at 15, the other end of the spring being in engagement with the bracket, as shown. In using this form of theholder, the pencil or other instrument is grasped by the fingers, so that the angle between the pencil and the ring is substantially as indicated in Figure 7. In this position of the pencil the spring is under tension.

When the writing or other work is completed, the user merely releases the grasp on the pencil, and owing to the tension of the spring, the same will automatically be lifted into an out-of-the-way position, such as indicated in dotted lines, or even further,

coming to rest on the back of the hand, according to the tension ofthe spring.

While I have herein shown and described only certain specific forms of embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that many changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, it being my intention to claim the same broadly in whatever form its principle may be embodied.

What I claim is:

1. In combination, aring, ceiving an instrument, and mechanism for associating said ring and clip, said mechanism comprising a member interposed in said ring and having an outer surface substantially conforming to that of the ring.

2. In combination, a ring, a member associated with said ring and rotatable about an axis substantially parallel to the tangent of said ring, a device for receiving a writing instrument, and means for mounting said device on said member, so as to be rotatable about an axis perpendicular to said tangent.

3. In combination, a stud, a split ring for cooperating with said stud and retaining the same in alignment therewith, said stud being rotatable about its longitudinal axis, and a clip for receiving'an instrument, said clip being associated with said stud.

4-. In combination, a stud, a split ring for cooperating with said stud and retaining the same in alignment therewith, said stud being rotatable about its longitudinal axis, a clip for receiving an instrument, and a rivet V for rotatably associating said clip with said 7 FREDERICK J. NoLTn a clip for re- 

